5 Essential Tips for Conquering Your Solo Travel Anxiety

Going on a solo trip is an amazing opportunity to get in touch with your mind and soul. It gives you a chance to reconnect with yourself and it can be incredibly empowering when done right.

The thing is, not all of us are mentally prepared to embark on such an adventure. Some of us may need more time to adjust to the new surroundings and find it more difficult to cope with challenges that come with solo traveling. While solo travel anxiety can be unpleasant, there are ways to combat negative feelings and conquer the fear of the unknown. Here’s how.

Think about why you want to travel alone

First things first, when it comes to embarking on a solo trip, you need to make sure that you’re clear on what you expect from it. Ask yourself: What’s the purpose of this trip? What am I trying to achieve by traveling on my own? Try to come back to your “why” that made you decide to embark on such a trip.

Maybe you’re relying on your solo adventure to test your strength and boost your confidence? Or you may feel the need to step out of your comfort zone and see your solo trip as the perfect opportunity to explore the unknown? Maybe you’ve heard about the amazing healing benefits of travel and have decided that now is the right time to travel the world by yourself? Whatever your reasons, identifying them can be of great help when it comes to conquering your solo travel anxiety and fears instead of letting them hold you back.

Journal and meditate during the trip

Traveling solo also means you’re the only one you can rely on, and this can be quite daunting for someone who isn’t used to being on their own. However, there are tools that can help you combat this fear. Your journal, for instance, can come in quite handy in those situations when you’re feeling stressed out and worried. Whatever it is – positive or negative – write it down. Then, take a moment to reflect on it and treat it as a learning experience.

Meditating and practicing yoga asanas are also good ways to stay balanced while traveling and you can easily download all the essential apps. That way, you’ll always have an outlet on hand when travel anxiety strikes.

Prioritize safety when traveling

As with everything in life, traveling solo does come with a certain percentage of risk. That said, the fear of something bad potentially happening shouldn’t stop you from experiencing life. The truth is, with careful planning and organizing, traveling solo can be both fun and safe.

Start off by selecting a travel destination that’s generally considered safe for tourists. If you’re traveling by car, go for a car check-up before the trip, download offline maps, and make sure you’re driving during daylight. If you are, by chance, traveling by a motorcycle, riding alone will be that much more peaceful and pleasant once you make sure to get the type of motorcycle insurance that fits your individual needs perfectly. Since you’ll be working with limited space, you’ll also need to pack smart and wear visible clothing so other drivers or motorists can see you. Getting a campervan is another option for individuals with anxiety, and insuring it beforehand will help prevent any financial or legal issues.

Have a clear plan (and a backup plan)

Speaking of staying safe while on the road, other than following certain safety precautions, you’ll also need to plan ahead, coming up with a clear plan, and ideally, a backup plan in case the original one doesn’t work out.

From figuring out where you’ll sleep and eat to finding a safe place to stay, you need to make sure that all of these are covered before heading off. Do your research and try to learn as much as you can about your travel destination. Translation apps and pocket books may come in handy when visiting a city or a country with unfamiliar language, while a power bank and a Wi-Fi device are must-have travel gadgets that will help you stay connected during the trip.

Check in with your loved ones

Last but not least, someone who has a hard time traveling alone can greatly benefit from checking in with their loved ones. Even if it’s a simple message you’ll send after arriving safely or a daily video chat, staying connected is a great way to reduce travel anxiety. This is especially true if your loved ones are worried about your solo adventure as a simple daily update will put their mind at ease.

Alternatively, consider visiting your loved ones during the trip. When making your itinerary, plan your route around visiting them. This will make your trip less lonely and you’ll also manage to save on accommodation.

Wrapping up

When carefully planned and executed, a solo trip can be an amazing journey to self-discovery. Stick with the tips above and you’ll manage to minimize travel anxiety and embark on your solo trip with more confidence.